The Belgian took advantage of her opportunity, advancing to victory four games later on her first match point. Clijsters backed it up with 36 winners, 26 more than her opponent.
Wozniacki, who met Clijsters three years ago in a Hong Kong exhibition, gave her thanks to Denmark in Danish and then spoke in Polish as well.
'It was incredible, Kim is such a great girl. I'm so excited that she came back. Unfortunately she beat me today with a great match. She deserves this trophy.'
Clijsters could barely express her emotions. 'I don't have words for this. I'm just glad I got chance to defend my title from 2005.
'This has been so exciting for me, it wasn't in the plan. I just wanted to get back to the rhythm of playing tennis and get used to the surroundings again.
'Both of my titles mean a lot. Winning the first one helped me to hide my nerves a bit in the last few games this time.'
Since 2005, Clijsters has now won her last 14 matches at the Open.
On the way to the repeat title, Clijsters became one of only six players to have defeated both Williams sisters at the same tournament. She put out Venus in the fourth round and beat Serena in the semi-finals Saturday night.